He tell't me whae ye were, and how ye were sent frae your father's house because ye wadna be a dealer, and that ye mightna disgrace your family wi' ganging on the stage.

Ane Hammorgaw, our precentor, brought him here, and said he was an auld acquaintance; but I sent them both away wi' a flae in their lug for bringing me sic an errand, on sic a night.

But I see he's a fule-creature a'thegither, and clean mistaen about ye.

I like ye, man," he continued; "I like a lad that will stand by his friends in trouble--I aye did it mysell, and sae did the deacon my father, rest and bless him! But ye suldna keep ower muckle company wi' Hielandmen and thae wild cattle.

Can a man touch pitch and no be defiled ?--aye mind that.